CarComplaints.com Notes: The second generation Durango was introduced in 2004 and instantly came under fire for, well, catching on fire.
From 2004-2006 electrical overloading in the driver's side instrument panel caused numerous reports of interior fires. The interior infernos became so commonplace that Chrysler eventually issued a recall.
The problems didn't stop there, however. Owners of the recalled vehicles complained about being treated unfairly and given take-it-or-leave-it low ball settlement offers. "They offered me $2000 under NADA retail as a settlement," said one owner, "and have been rude and hostile to deal with." Nothing says awesome service like treating your customers rudely after their cars have caught on fire.
This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
On three separate occasions over the past 6 months our 2004 Dodge Durango stalled while traveling at speeds up to 45 mph. We took it to the dealer each time and they can not identify the problem. This is a safety issue which is not being addressed. I talked to another dealership service department and they said it is a common problem and "they have no idea what is causing it or how to fix it". I am very concerned what will happen when my wife is driving it on an off ramp at 50 mph next time...she will go right off the side and probably roll it with no power steering or brake.
Vehicle has completely stalled twice in traffic. Once on the freeway while slowing down and once on the city streets while slowing down. Several other times it has acted like it wants to stall.
2004 Dodge Durango with hemi engine has stalled twice without warning in past 6 months. When the engine loses power steering the vehicle is almost impossible. The engine has stalled while merging onto a freeway and also on a residential street. On the residential street I went up on the sidewalk due to lack of steering.
Consumer states that in January her vehicle stalled while slowing with no warning during the day. She then pulled over to the side of the road, put the vehicle into park and was able to restart it. Then on February 6,2005, this happened again, while going 60 mph, there was no slowing involved. This happened at night the dash board lights stayed on but she did lose all power to the vehiclet, she put the vehicle into park and the vehicle did restart restart. At that time she took the vehicle into the dealership and was told that because they couldn't duplicate the problem they couldn't do anything but she should check back for computer updates. The vehicle is currently in the service department and they are trying to find the problem with the vehicle.
- Roseville, CA, USA
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2004 Dodge Durango stalling while driving at highway speed at 3 different times- dealer denied any problems with such stalling and couldn't do anything about it unless it stalled while one of their mechanics in car when it happened- car was only a few months old when this started - lucky not to have caused seroius and deadly multi-car accident-this is a very serious problem and it needs immediate attention!
To whom it concerns: My wife and I lease a 2004 Dodge Durango equipped with the 5.7 liter hemi engine. Over the last several months the vehicle engine stalls and quits during day to day driving. There is no pattern to the stalling. We have taken the Durango to dealers in tyler (add name) and huntsville (team Dodge) on several occasions. Neither dealer has been able to fix the vehicle. We have also contacted the Chrysler "hotline" with no resolution. My wife drives this vehicle every day. She is now 9 months pregnant. We also have a son (12) and a daughter (9). My wife is the usual "victim" of the stalling. It has happened in dangerous situations such as turning in traffic. She is a nervous wreck because she never knows when it is going to happen. Shortly she will be driving this vehicle with an infant. My family is at risk every time we start the engine. Team Dodge met with the Chrysler regional manager to plead our case and seek a remedy. His response was callous and uncaring. We could turn the vehicle back subject to penalties for early termination and mileage. If we simply turned the vehicle back, Chrysler would classify it as a "repossession." Chrysler is essentially forcing us to continue to operate a vehicle that is dangerous to us and the driving public. Why are we being penalized for Chrysler's defective product? if we can not come to a resolution that is harmless to us, we will have no choice but file a lawsuit against Chrysler. Sincerely yours, jason miller
Stalling without warning in middle of intersection. Has stalled three times. Dealer says no codes found. Can not duplicate. Through research I have found this is a common problem with this vehicle and daimler Chrysler has not been willing or able to fix it.
Intermittently, the vehicle stalls without warning. When this occurs the vehicle loses brakes and power steering. Various repairs have been performed but the failure still exist. The manufacture can't guarantee the fix or remedy performed.
While driving the vehicle started to shake. Consumer pulled over to inspect the engine, and found nothing unusual. He reentered the vehicle and started driving when the engine burned. Vehicle was towed to the dealer, and the transmission was replaced. Consumer was driving the vehicle when the same thing occurred for the second time, and the vehicle experienced another fire. This time the dealer did not replace the transmission. Consumer experienced a third fire and the vehicle was totaled.
Vehicle is experiencing problem with engine stalling. Vehicle has been to the dealer on four separate occasions, and they are unable to duplicate the problem.
While driving vehicle stalled. Consumer was unable to restart vehicle, and had it towed to the dealer. Mechanic informed consumer that the problem could not be duplicated.
My 2004 slt 4.7 Durango had been idling, what seemed rough for a new vehicle for a few day (after a hard rain) when the engine light came on and the idle became very pronounced. It was taken straight to the dealer where it was found that the cylinders were misfiring. They pulled the sprk plugs and found corrosion and rust covering the plug and told me that water was getting into the firing area. I saw the plug and it looked like it came out of a much older vehicle, not a 2004. Well as luck would have it, we had another hard rain and guess what. This time I was told that engineers were going to design a deflector shield to stop this problem as although it hasn't happened often it has happened. Only thing is, no one can give me a time line on when this might begin, let alone be completed. And being a female, who travels alot and alone.....well, now thats why I purchased a new vehicle in the first place... to feel somewhat safe.
While driving smoke was coming from vents. Consumer was able to pull over and extinguish the fire. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the head gasket needed to be replaced due to worn out parts.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Morgan Hill, CA, USA